Creating Economic Expansion through Industry Reinvention - The Time is Now!

The Columbus fashion industry, known for its prominence as the third largest in the United States, is experiencing a significant transformation amidst a global redefinition of the retail fashion landscape. The impacting factors range from shifts in consumer buying patterns and cultural dynamics to technology advancements to environmental and economic challenges. The mix of headwinds and positive momentum has led us to this very exciting and pivotal moment.  Consumer and market research shows that Columbus stands at the forefront of a tremendous opportunity, providing an ideal environment to reshape and revitalize our fashion industry. Capitalizing on Columbus’  inherent strengths and unique advantages, we’re poised to usher in a new era of innovation, cultural inclusion, and economic expansion.  Together, we can achieve the vision to propel our industry forward, becoming the envy of the national retail fashion industry. Now is the ideal time for reinvention!

The Columbus fashion industry, known for its prominence as the third largest in the United States, is experiencing a significant transformation amidst a global redefinition of the retail fashion landscape. The impacting factors range from shifts in consumer buying patterns and cultural dynamics to technology advancements to environmental and economic challenges. The mix of headwinds and positive momentum has led us to this very exciting and pivotal moment.  Consumer and market research shows that Columbus stands at the forefront of a tremendous opportunity, providing an ideal environment to reshape and revitalize our fashion industry. Capitalizing on Columbus’  inherent strengths and unique advantages, we’re poised to usher in a new era of innovation, cultural inclusion, and economic expansion. Together, we can achieve the vision to propel our industry forward, becoming the envy of the national retail fashion industry. Now is the ideal time for reinvention!

The Columbus fashion industry, known for its prominence as the third largest in the United States, is experiencing a significant transformation amidst a global redefinition of the retail fashion landscape. The impacting factors range from shifts in consumer buying patterns and cultural dynamics to technology advancements to environmental and economic challenges. The mix of headwinds and positive momentum has led us to this very exciting and pivotal moment.  Consumer and market research shows that Columbus stands at the forefront of a tremendous opportunity, providing an ideal environment to reshape and revitalize our fashion industry. Capitalizing on Columbus’  inherent strengths and unique advantages, we’re poised to usher in a new era of innovation, cultural inclusion, and economic expansion. Together, we can achieve the vision to propel our industry forward, becoming the envy of the national retail fashion industry. Now is the ideal time for reinvention!

The Columbus Fashion Summit is sponsored by:


Prepare to be captivated at the upcoming Columbus Fashion Summit, where a vibrant convergence of retail professionals, industry experts, educators, innovators, researchers, and business leaders awaits. This highly anticipated, invitation-only event serves as a forum to hear cutting-edge initiatives that are propelling the local industry forward, knowledge exchange and idea incubator.  As the fashion landscape undergoes a remarkable transformation, the summit offers a unique platform to ignite collective enthusiasm and foster collaboration, specifically centered around Columbus' most promising sector—the reimagined fashion industry. Get ready to be informed, inspired and invigorated!  Join us at the Columbus Fashion Summit to hear why now is the time for reinvention and how you can be part of shaping the future of fashion!


Speakers Include

Presentations by

and more!

Presentations by

and more!

Leadership from

and more!

Leadership from

and more!

Presentations by

and more!

Panelists from:

and more!

As our city embraces this pivotal moment, it is not only imperative for us to unite as a community but also extend an open invitation to the broader fashion industry for this remarkable opportunity for growth. The potential for our city to be a gateway for the future of fashion is there, we just have to seize it.

-Yohannan Terrell

Sessions Include

8:30-9 am

Refreshments

9 am

Welcome Statements from County Commissioners / Damika

9:15 am

Welcome from Yogi

Learn Session

10:30 am

Competitiveness & Collaboration: Building Talent Pipelines

A special presentation on retail competitiveness in the face of a changing retail industry from Manjari Raman, Senior Program Director, Managing the Future of Work, Harvard Business School


11:30 am - 12 pm

Lunch Break

12 - 12:45 pm

Unlock: How to unlock new futures in the fashion industry

A panel of fashion, education, and tech leaders on solutions to create new pathways into the fashion industry. Hosted by Illianna Acosta of LinkedIn and joined by Hannah Wexner founder of skills based platform Blocktrain, Lydia Smith Head of DEI at VS&Co, Laurie Kamerer of Denison University, and Todd Corley Head of DEI at Carhartt.



Make Session

12:50 pm

Small is the new Big

Leaders in the small batch production space discuss the future of manufacturing in the U.S. and needs for success in Columbus. 

Innovate Session

1:50 pm

Fashion Forward: Columbus’ Next Frontier

CFA is joined by CCAD, AECOM, Fashinnovation from New York, Human Solutions and more to talk about Columbus' big opportunity to merge fashion and tech and to make some big announcements on building the next fashion hub in America. 

Experience Session

3:00 pm

Beyond Style: Reinventing Columbus Retail

Hosted by CBUS Retail featuring Kat Depizzo of Justice Design Lab,  Dionte Johnson of Sole Classics, and other special guests.

3:45 pm

Closing Remarks

The Columbus Fashion Alliance is a non-profit organization leading the initiative to build a new economy through fashion right here in Columbus, OH, the fashion capital of the MidWest. Our mission is to build the workforce of the future, diversify the industry, and put Columbus on the map as the next fashion frontier. 


@ The Junto, 77 Belle St, Columbus, OH 43215

@ The Junto, 77 Belle St, Columbus, OH 43215